Brain and nerves

Our brain
could resemble a circuit: 80 billion neurons and perhaps a hundred trillion
synapses are interconnected within a complex organ. One of the greatest
challenges facing 21st century science is brain whole structures and functions
disclosure. While emerging technology are spreading in every field, Europe
suggested to associate neurobiological studies to technological knowledge and
future improvements.

One of the most unknown places,
still far from being explored and fully understood, is not (only) the deep
universe: it is our brain. That is why USA and the European Union, in the very
last years, started two separate, but parallel, initiatives to map the human
brain. On March 2014, there has been a
public announcement that the two projects will merge. Or will they smash?

In this
brief review I summarize some major findings demonstrating the specific
anatomical and functional features of the brain of synaesthetes. There are
several main findings of this research: (1) Brain areas, which are involved in
controlling synaesthesia are anatomically different. (2) These brain areas are
also differently activated during synaesthetic experiences. (3) There are not
only anatomical and functional differences in those brain areas specifically
involved.

On 2 May, the Regional Council of Tuscany approved by majority vote a law that will make it easier for residents to use cannabinoid drugs as opioid adjuvants in pain therapy and palliative treatment of chronic debilitating conditions (AIDS, anorexia, cachexia, etc.) . To this end, hospitals and local health authorities will ensure the import of cannabinoid drugs, which will be administered under the supervision and at the expense of the regional health system.

Much work has been carried out to identify the neural correlates of the appreciation of beauty of faces, visual art, dance and music (Aharon 2001; Cela-Conde 2004; Jacobsen 2006; Kawabata 2004; O'Doherty 2003; Rhodes 2007; Senior 2003; Vartanian 2004). However, two important issues remain elusive. On the one hand, the possibility of differences between men and women, and on the other, the evolutionary forces that may have shaped this human capacity.